Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849 eBook

That my friend, Jack or Tom,
I should rescue from danger,
Or lay down my life for each
lad in the mess,
Is nothing at all,—­’tis
the poor wounded stranger,
And the poorer the more I
shall succour distress:
In me let the
foe feel the paw of the lion,
But, the battle
once ended, the heart of a lamb.

FOOTNOTES:

[7] She proved to be an American, and she went to
pieces during the night.

VENERABLE.

On Saturday, the 24th of November, 1804, the fleet
under the command of Admiral the Hon. W. Cornwallis,
lay at anchor in Torbay. As it was late in the
year, and the night dark and stormy, orders were given
for the fleet to put to sea.

Unfortunately, in fishing the anchor of the Venerable,
74-gun ship, the fish-hook gave way, and a man was
precipitated into the sea. The alarm was immediately
given, and one of the cutters was ordered to be lowered.
Numbers of the crew rushed aft to carry the orders
into effect, but in the confusion, one of the falls
was suddenly let go, the boat fell by the run, filled,
and a midshipman and two of the crew were drowned.
In a few minutes another boat was lowered, which fortunately
succeeded in picking up the man who first fell overboard.

Owing to this delay, the Venerable fell off considerably
towards Brixham, and getting sternway, was unable
to weather the Berry Head. Every effort was made
to stay her, but the ship refused; and, not having
room to wear, she drove on shore, at the north part
of the bay, on a spot called Roundem Head, near Paington.

Orders were given to cut away the masts, in the hopes
of their falling between the ship and the shore.
This was found impracticable, as the ship, from her
position on the declivity of the rock on which she
struck, heeled to such an extent, as to render the
falling of the masts in the desired direction quite
impossible.

Her commander, Captain John Hunter, however, with
undaunted fortitude, continued to animate the crew
with hope, and encouraged them to acts of further
perseverance, with the same calmness and self-possession
as if he were simply conducting the ordinary duties
of his ship. From the moment the ship struck,
not the least alteration took place in his looks,
words, or manner; and everything that the most able
and experienced seaman could suggest was done, but
in vain. On signals of distress being made, H.M.
cutter Frisk, Lieutenant Nicholson, immediately stood
towards her, and hailing to know in what manner she
could be useful, was requested to anchor as near as
possible to receive the crew, with which her commander
immediately complied, assisted by the boats of the
Goliath and Impetueux.

All hope of saving the Venerable being now abandoned,
the only object that remained was to preserve the
lives of the crew, who were told to provide for their
own safety on board the boats which had been sent to
their assistance, the captain and officers declaring
their intention of remaining on board till all the
men had quitted the wreck.